The Points Daily — October 9, 2026
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Southwest Rapid Rewards points sale hits 50% off
Southwest is discounting Rapid Rewards points up to 50% through October 29, pricing them at 1.5 cents each. That sounds good until you remember the average value hovers around 1.3 cents per point—you're still overpaying, especially given Southwest's checked-bag fees and variable award pricing. The sale is targeted, requires a 5,000-point minimum, and caps at 60,000 points per day. Unless you're a few thousand points away from a specific redemption, this sale isn't worth chasing.
TPD Take: Skip it. Buying points should only happen when you're within spitting distance of a specific award you actually want to take.
Source: AW
AAdvantage business account bonus now 15,000 miles
American is offering 15,000 AAdvantage miles for registering a business loyalty account using promo code GET15K through October 31st. Normally you'd need five active travelers and $5,000 in American spend to unlock the bonus. Citi AAdvantage Business cardholders skip those requirements entirely. Stack this with the 75,000-mile new-card bonus and you're clearing 90,000 miles just for signing up and registering.
TPD Take: Straightforward stacking opportunity if you were planning to apply for the Citi card anyway. Get the registration bonus while it's there.
Source: DoC
Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders targeted for Reserve upgrade
Some Sapphire Preferred holders are getting targeted emails offering 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points to upgrade to the Sapphire Reserve, with $4,000 spend required by December 15 and the upgrade itself due by December 1, 2026. This bypasses the standard new-card application, which makes it useful for anyone over 5/24 or who's already exhausted a Reserve welcome bonus. The catch: Chase is sending full new-card offers as high as 175,000 points to some customers. If you get the email, verify whether you qualify for a larger signup bonus before taking the upgrade.
TPD Take: Don't auto-accept. Do the math on whether you're eligible for the full new-card bonus first. If you're locked out of new applications or already earned a Reserve bonus, this moves the needle.
Source: DoC
IHG Diamond elite status available via 10-night fast track
IHG One Rewards is offering select targeted members Diamond elite status for just 10 nights, with nearly 26 months to complete them through December 31st, 2026. You need an invitation to participate and must register before your stays start counting. Normal Diamond qualification requires 70 nights or 120,000 points—this fast track cuts 85% off the night requirement if you're selected.
TPD Take: Highly targeted, so most won't see it. If the email lands in your inbox, take it. Diamond status carries lounge access and room upgrades that are worth the minimal effort.
Source: TFM
American Airlines rolls out cash and miles hybrid bookings
American Airlines is expanding booking options to let AAdvantage members use a slider during checkout to decide how much of a flight they pay for in cash versus miles. This is a pay-with-points feature, not a new revenue-based award chart—you're still financing a cash-priced ticket with miles instead of using your credit card for the full amount.
TPD Take: Useful flexibility if you're short on miles for a specific flight. Doesn't change the fundamental math of whether paying for a ticket with points makes sense; it just gives you more granular control over the split.
Source: M2M
Steal of the Day: Citibank business checking bonus up to $2,000
Citibank is offering business checking account bonuses up to $2,000, extended through January 6, 2027. This is real cash—not branded swag or coupon codes—contingent on hitting deposit and activity thresholds for qualifying accounts. You'll need legitimate business banking needs or actual cash flow to justify the work. Review the current tier structure before opening anything; don't let the bonus headline override deposit requirements and fee structures.
Source: DoC
Card of the Day: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
Chase accidentally added lifetime bonus language to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business card, blocking previous cardholders from welcome bonuses. The company has since removed the restriction. The source expects it to return in 2027. If you're building a Companion Pass strategy and were considering reapplying for the Southwest business bonus, now is better than later while the restriction is off the books.
Source: M2M
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